Rhode Island Government Employees

The day shift at the Fire Department in Providence, R. I., defied a court order and called in sick for the second day in a contract dispute over staffing of rescue units, a department official said. Sixty-one firefighters also said they would not report to work today, Fire Chief Michael F. Moise said. The night shift of about 90 firefighters, which has been on duty since Friday night, found its tour of duty extended again.

The day shift at the Fire Department in Providence, R. I., defied a court order and called in sick for the second day in a contract dispute over staffing of rescue units, a department official said. Sixty-one firefighters also said they would not report to work today, Fire Chief Michael F. Moise said. The night shift of about 90 firefighters, which has been on duty since Friday night, found its tour of duty extended again.